Virginia’s First Homeschool NASP Nationals Placement for 3D Archery
Submitted by Amy Hall, Amherst Arms Bobcats NASP Coach
Virginia homeschooler and elementary bullseye state champion Zac Matthews placed fifth at the 2023 NASP Eastern National IBO 3D Challenge held May 11 to 13, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky. Zac received national recognition, a plaque, and a medal for his achievements. He placed fifth out of 936 elementary boys from public and private schools and homeschools from 33 states.
Zac is the first Virginia homeschooler to place in the NASP Eastern National IBO 3D Challenge. In addition to this win, Zac placed third among elementary boys in the inaugural 2023 IBO Genesis Indoor Championship held alongside the NASP Nationals, while fellow Bobcat archer, Andrew Ploetner, placed sixth among middle school boys at the IBO championship.
Zac is part of the Amherst Arms Bobcats, a homeschool archery program that began in 2014 in Madison Heights, Virginia. The Bobcats have been pioneers for NASP homeschool archery in the state of Virginia, as they began competing in NASP tournaments in 2017. The Bobcats program grew exponentially during the pandemic and now enrolls 70 archers in grades 4–12 in their year-long program.
The Amherst Arms Bobcats have had their most successful season to date with three individual state champions (Zac Matthews—elementary boys bullseye champion, Andrew Ploetner—middle school boys bullseye champion and middle school boys 3D champion, and Kaitlyn Greene—elementary girls 3D champion); one Virginia NASP $2000 scholarship winner; three Virginia NASP trophies including first place elementary 3D team (for the second year in a row); second place elementary bullseye team; and second place middle school 3D team. All seven of the Bobcats teams qualified for Nationals and improved on their placements this year. Five Bobcat archers are advancing to the NASP Open Championship in Myrtle Beach this June.
